New Testament Readings: Thoughts on Seventies

   To help spread His Gospel Jesus sent missionaries out to share His words and to prepare the way for Him. These Seventy were instructed to go out heal the sick, and preach that the kingdom of God was coming. They were to be among the people and dwell with them. Most Importantly, they were to be representatives of Jesus Christ. Jesus knew He could not be everywhere for “the harvest truly [was] great.” (Luke 10:2) So the Seventy were given His authority and He testified to them, “he that heareth you heareth me.” (Luke 10:16)

New Testament Readings: Thoughts on Earthly and Heavenly Rewards

Christ and the Rich Young Ruler

   Often when Christ spoke, he spoke in metaphors or parables. As part of his teachings the message was often of what needed to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Some sacrifices were physical and some spiritual. Likewise, Jesus also explained the rewards for righteousness as physical and spiritual; even sometimes one being a metaphor for the other.

   When a young man of wealth came to Christ and asked what was needed for Eternal Life he was eventually told, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” The account goes on to say that the young man went “away sorrowful.”

New Testament Readings: Thoughts on Parables

   When Christ taught his people he often used Parables; sheep, seeds, debtors, fish, wages. These were items the people things the people he was teaching understood. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes had corrupted the law of Moses to the point that the people no longer were able to understand its true intent and purpose. Jesus used parables to help bring the people back to an understanding to the law and to his Gospel.

New Testament Readings: Thoughts on The Beatitudes

   As many of you know, I am going back to school. I love going to BYU Idaho because part of the courses required to graduate are ecclesiastical. This term I am taking a course on the New Testament and each week, as part of the course, I will be sharing my thought on my readings.

   This week we are studying The Beatitudes from Matthew chapter 5.  When the Savior was teaching during the Sermon on the Mount, he spoke about attitudes we can adopt to be blessed. Each Beatitude is introduced with the phrase, “Blessed are…” The Savior could just say, ‘be poor in spirit.’ He doesn’t though. He outlines each character trait and then shares the blessings to those who adopt them. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”